World’s tallest jockey comes up short as fans say horse ‘should have ridden him’

The world’s tallest jockey came up short on Thursday – when his horse failed to finish at Cheltenham.

At 6ft 4in Jack Andrews, 24, may tower over his rivals in the height stakes but beating them on the track proved a tall order. He pulled up on 20-1 shot Anightinlambourn midway through the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase.

Only 11 of 23 horses completed the race in driving rain. Jack said he was "disappointed" and hopes for better luck riding Not That Fuisse in the St James’s Place Festival Hunters’ Chase later on Friday.

READ MORE: World's cheapest racehorse cost less than a puppy but is now gunning for Gold Cup

One wise-cracking racing fan, who saw the giant jockey climb aboard his mount, said: "In hindsight, the horse may have been better riding him."

Standing a foot taller than most of his competitors, Andrews dreamed of taking the reins as a child but a sudden growth spurt at around 17 saw his chances of riding the professional circuit dashed. "As a kid I always liked racing. I watched it and followed it and I liked the form and stuff," he said. "When I first started riding around the age of 15 or 16 I was tall but not as tall as I am now.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Have you beaten the bookies this week? Let us know in the comments section below

"I was probably 5ft 10in when I had my first ride so I was okay and then when I got to about 17 I really shot up again and that is when I got quite tall. There was a fear I might not be able to make it as I grew up thinking I would be a professional rider when I was older.

"When I had that growth spurt it was a bit of a kick in the teeth. But I always felt I could still ride as an amateur and in point-to-points – which I’ve managed to do. The big one I want to tick off the bucket list is to ride a festival winner. It would be a brilliant achievement."

READ NEXT:

  • Cheltenham punter's £5 into £1million bet dream ends painfully at one of final stages

  • Cheltenham racegoers mark St Patrick's Thursday by downing pints in wacky fancy dress

  • Mighty Potter leaves punters fuming as 'no brainer' flops at Cheltenham Festival

  • Carol Vorderman oozes glamour in blue floor-length fur coat for Cheltenham Races

  • Robbie Keane trolled by Arsenal-mad AP McCoy as Spurs great appears at Cheltenham

Source: Read Full Article